Clippers, Thunder inch closer to 2nd round, build 3-0 series lead in NBA Playoffs

Sports

THE LA Clippers and the Oklahoma City Thunder are on the verge of scoring clean sweeps, beating their respective opponents on Friday (Philippine time), April 25, to erect a commanding 3-0 series lead in the first round of the NBA Western Conference playoffs.

The Clippers dominated the Denver Nuggets, 117-93, while the Thunder overhauled a 29-point first-half deficit to frustrate the Memphis Grizzlies, 114-108.

Memphis and LA will host Game 4 of the two separate series with another victories by the Clippers and the Thunder setting them up for a second-round playoff series.

LA had too much firepower in the Game 3 win with Kawhi Leonard leading six Clippers in double figures with 21 points. James Harden and Norman Powell finished with 20 points each while Ivica Zubac had 11.

Nicolas Batum and Derrick Jones Jr. pitched in 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray fired 23 points to lead the beleaguered Nuggets.

On the other hand, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander exploded for 31 points while Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgrem pitched in 26 and 24 markers, respectively, as the Thunder completed the second-largest comeback in an NBA postseason game since play-by-play data began being recorded in the 1996-97 season.

Holmgren played a key role in Oklahoma’s mighty fightback as he scored all of his points in the final half.

Memphis led by 26 at the half but suffered a huge blow when Ja Morant suffered an injury following a hard fall in the final three minutes of the second quarter.

Morant, who scored 15 points, did not return, leaving a gaping hole in the Grizzlies’ offensive attack in the final half.

Scotty Pippen Jr. paced Memphis with 28 points while Jaren Jackson Jr. had 22.(CCM)